Acting-President's Anger

The Acting-President, Mr Mitchell, then vacated the chair and delivered a polemic. He felt that there was a slight majority forcing Mr Hercus to resign. But he did not want to see any "legal trickery"! This was "backstabbing" and "hyprocisy." Why not write to the president or see him at council (i.e., during Easter Tournament; executive had earlier passed a motion approving the payment of £21 7/- for three-quarters of Mr Hercus's return air fare from Waihi to Dunedin)? "We shouldn't resort to a legality to get him out when he isn't aware of what is going on."

If Mr Hercus appeared stubborn, Mr Mitchell added, it was only because he thought it was pointless resigning only six weeks before the presidential elections. "But," he concluded, "please be honest, please be open about it."